The Baker Family

The Baker Family. . The Barlow Trail branch of the Oregon Trail formally ended at the Phillip Foster Farm near Eagle Creek. From that point immigrants fanned out, taking several routes to Oregon City and beyond. One route passed this spot on the way up Gronlund Road to Oregon City. Other branches extended up to Holcomb Road and out to what is now Clackamas. , Horace Baker was born December 8, 1802, in 'Windsor County,' Vermont according to the epitaph on his strange-looking monument, resembling an above ground concerte casket, on Lot 175 in the Pioneer section of Mt. View Cemetery in Oregon City. , Horace Baker and Jane Baker settled here about half a mile northwest of her brother Mark Hattan, near the mouth of Clear Creek, on the south side of the Clackamas River. "Taking up this section of land because of the wonderful mountain of basalt located on the western part of it." Horace Baker attested to the fact that he and Jane had entered into an arrangement, in the State of Illinois in 1845 to live together as man and wife. When it became known that they were, in fact, not legally married her claim to 320 acres was denied, and later approved. Horace and Jane were then married on September 19, 1852. Horace died in 1882. Jane died in 1898. , Horace Baker was a man of many talents and initiatives. He made wooden water pumps, and went about the countryside selling and installing them. Requiring too much travel, and the supply of iron pumps that became available by trade, his business was soon replaced by working in the quarry, operating a ferry along with farming his land. Horace was also the Judge of Elections in Oregon City in 1849 and 1850, and was unsuccessful in his campaign for Justice of the Peace on two or more occasions in the early 1850s. He was involved in the incorporation of the Oregon City Water Company, January 17, 1854. , In 1872, Horace built an operated a ferry across the Clackamas River. The ferry was destroyed by high water in 1882. The following year, a covered bridge was built across the river (where the bridge is today), and it was called "Baker's Bridge" in his memory.